ASTRA, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, has named their “Best Toys for Kids 2011“.
Over 500 of America’s top independent and neighborhood toy retailers have selected the Best Toys for Kids. Drawing upon their expertise, experience, and commitment to fulfilling play, ASTRA members hand-picked
- the most engaging, that encourage creativity, invite exploration, and spark a child’s interest and imagination anew each and every time he/she plays.
- unique, that delight children with original concepts and ambitious design.
- open-ended, grow with the child as he/she advances from one developmental stage to the next.
- fun, it’s a toy after all!
- and safe toys for your children that meet or exceed all current federal safety standards.
The 2011 Best Toys for Kids list features toys that deliver exceptional value and expand a child’s imagination, toys that invite discovery and exploration, toys that get kids moving, toys that build creativity, toys that fascinate babies, and even toys that delight hard-to-shop-for pre-teens.
Here are a few of my favorites. Â Go to the ASTRA website to see the full list of Best Toys for Kids.
Classic Play (3-7 yrs old)
Teaching Cash Register
by Learning Resources
For ages 3+
Cha-ching!! Playing store comes to life with this talking, interactive cash register that rewards transactions with lights, sounds and voice messages. Holds actual-size money and includes a built-in scanner, scale, coin slot and volume control. Engaging play helps kids practice basic math skills and recognition of coins and bills. Requires 3 C batteries, not included.
Creative Arts Play (5-8 yrs old)
Pretend- Role Play (3-5 yrs old)
Healthy Gourmet Salad for Green Eaters
by Hape
For ages 3+
Imaginative play gets nourished when children create a tasty salad with these vibrant wood vegetables. This 36-piece set from Hape includes the bowl, the vegetables, and dressing—oil, vinegar, and pepper—plus utensils for tossing up some healthy play.
 Scientific Play (8-12 yrs old)
Big Bag of Science
by Be Amazing
For ages 8+
This giant kit by Be Amazing whets the appetites of budding young scientists. With more than 70 hands-on science activities, it guarantees hours and hours of science fun. Make water disappear or flow uphill! Create a soda geyser or grow fake snow! Science is fun with activities using chemistry, physic, magnetism, weather, biology, geology, and flight.
All these toys and much, much more are available at local toy stores like Building Blocks Toy Store in Chicago.
Connect with ASTRA at their website, see the complete Best Toys list, on Facebook or Twitter.
Disclosure: All opinions included in this post are my own, unless otherwise stated. In accordance with FTC guidelines, I am disclosing a material connection because I attended the Building Blocks Blogger Party and took home a goody bag.
awesome toys indeed I love the mini cash register it’s so cute XD
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